ACN, PDP disagree on Dickson’s appointment

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Bayelsa State yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of distracting Governor Seriake Dickson.

The party was reacting to the appointment of the governor as the chairman of the PDP’s reconciliation committee.

ACN’s Publicity Secretary Christopher Abarowei said appointing a governor in his first tenure to resolve festering problems in his party was against the interest of the people and development of Bayelsa.

He said the governor should have rejected the offer in the spirit of his restoration agenda.

Besides, Abarowei said the appointment was capable of impacting negatively on the finances of the state.

But Dickson allayed the fears of the people, saying PDP “has the financial muscle to tackle its problems”.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, asked opposition parties to rise above party partisanship and help in building a united country.

He said his appointment should be viewed as a mark of honour and recognition, adding that the restoration project was on course.

He said he accepted the appointment out of his commitment to render a selfless service to the country, adding that the internal crisis in PDP should be a concern to everybody.

Iworiso-Markson said: “Governor Dickson’s role as the chairman of the committee is a call to service. As a dedicated and committed party man, he is duty-bound to respond to the call by his party to render service, especially at a time such as this when the PDP and by extension the nation is seeking peaceful resolution to the political crisis.

“This call to service should be viewed as a plus and recognition. Bayelsans should be rest assured that no kobo from the state will be used for this special project as the PDP has the financial strength to bankroll its programmes.”

But Abarowei insisted that the numerous trips involved in the job that was handed down to Dickson could be a burden on the treasury of the state.

He said: “The choice of Dickson as head of the reconciliation committee of the PDP is a distraction capable of derailing the restoration and development of the state.

“This is another wasteful exercise that will, no doubt, adversely have its impact on the state’s finances.”

He also lauded the recent resolution of the National Assembly to take over the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He called on the police to redeploy the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu.

“Redeploying Mbu is a decisive and proactive step in forestalling the political impunity that is threatening the peace of Rivers State.

“We also call on President Goodluck Jonathan to match his words with action by curbing the political excesses within the ranks of his party.”